Green Tea Health Benefits List and Side Effects

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Green tea is the healthiest beverage. It is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. Tea is considered the most consumed beverage in the world behind water, however 78% of the tea consumed worldwide is black and only almost 20% is green. Green tea is made from the leaves from camella sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during the processing. Green tea is used to improve mental alertness and thinking, also used for weight loss and to treat stomach disorders.

Instead of drinking green tea, some people apply green tea bags to their skin to soothe sunburn and to prevent skin cancer due to sun exposure. Green tea in candy form is used in gum diseases in tooth. Antioxidants and other substances in green tea might help to protect the heart and blood vessels.

The Power of Antioxidants:-

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. These free radicals can start chain reactions. When the chain reactions occur in a cell, it can cause damage or death to the cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates and inhibit other oxidation reactions. Antioxidants are often reducing agents such as Thiols, Ascorbic acid or Polyphenols. Free radicals are highly reactive and have the potential to cause damage to cells, including damage that may leads to cancer. Normal cellular processes as well as environmental factors like pollution, smoking and stress result in the formation of free radicals in our body. Antioxidants inhibit the harmful effects of the free radicals, preventing damage to healthy cells and tissues. Green tea is rich in naturally occurring antioxidants- a wonderful way to protect you from free radicals.

Green Tea making:

In general 2 grams of green tea per 100ml of water or about 1tbsp of green tea per 150 ml of water should be used. Use 1 teaspoon for n1 cup of tea. Always use good quality of leaves or powder to get the best taste. It has a bitter taste and this taste is increased if the tea is not prepared properly. Filtered water is recommended for the preparation. Always add the powder to water that is hot but not boiling. The ideal temperature is 80-85 c for making the best cup of tea. Green tea should not be steeped for more than 2 minutes. It is important to keep in mind that it may be a bad idea to put milk in your green tea, because it can reduce the antioxidant value.

Different forms of green tea are available in the market. These are green tea bags, loose leaf, and instant powder. Green tea supplements are sold in capsule form or liquid extracts.

Green tea preparation using tea bag:-

Bring fresh water to boil. Green tea is best made with water at 85 c

Pour water into the cup

Place 1 tea bag and allow it to brew for about 2 minutes

Remove the tea bag. Add honey or lemon based on your choice

Green tea preparation using powder:-

If you use green tea powder then add the tea powder to the water and boil the water. Boil until the green tea powder falls to the bottom. Strain the green tea water in to the cup and serve.

Green Tea Health Benefits List:

Increases the metabolism so we lose weight by taking 4 cups of green tea daily.

Relieves stress and anxiety. It is a perfect beverage to soothe your trouble mind.

Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee

Destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infection and dental caries. Studies show that the catechins in the green tea can inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans. Green tea consumption helps in improving dental health and lowers the risk of dental caries.

Helps to prevent the signs of aging and wrinkles. This is because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Green tea has been shown to increase fat burning and boosts the metabolic rate. Several studies show that green tea leads to decrease in body fat, especially in the abdominal area

Cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of cells. It is one of the world’s leading causes of death. The antioxidants in the green tea can prevent various cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer

Green tea extract ointments have been used to treat genital warts

Controls blood pressure levels

Strengthens immune system

Precautions while taking Green Tea:

Green tea is likely safe for most adults when consumed in moderate amounts. Green tea extracts is possibly safe for most people when taken by mouth or applied to the skin for a short time.

If you are pregnant or breast feeding women, green tea in small amounts about 2 cups per day is possibly safe. Consuming more than 2 cups of green tea daily has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and other negative effects.

Don’t drink green tea if you have a bleeding disorder

Those who are using anticoagulant drugs such as Coumadin, warfarin should drink green tea with caution

If taken with stimulant drugs, could possibly increase blood pressure and heart rate